Press Release

The American Association for Justice is pleased to announce the start of its Leadership Academy class with 16 new members selected to participate. The AAJ Leadership Academy provides skills, techniques, and training for these members to become effective leaders in the legal profession, at AAJ, and in their communities.

The AAJ Leadership Academy has already produced 48 graduates over its three-year existence. This year’s class was selected from the largest application pool in the history of this program.

“The Leadership Academy is a great opportunity for young lawyers to develop skills to become leaders in their profession and their community,” said AAJ President Larry Tawwater. “AAJ is committed to helping its members become better lawyers and better leaders.”

The 2016 Leadership Academy Class includes:

• Carla Aikens, with Carla D. Aikens, P.C. (Detroit, MI)
• Julie Ferraro, with Kreindler & Kreindler LLP (Boston, MA)
• Yvonne Flaherty, with Lockridge Grindal Nauen, PLLP (Minneapolis, MN)
• Rachel Gusman, with Graves McLain, PLLC (Tulsa, OK)
• Laurel Halbany, with Maune Raichle Hartley French & Mudd, LLC (Oakland, CA)
• J.D. Hays, with Taylor King & Associates (Springdale, AR)
• Kate Jaycox, with Robins Kaplan LLP (Minneapolis, MN)
• Nicholas Johnson, with Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll, PLLC (Palm Beach Gardens, FL)
• Matthew Nace, with Paulson & Nace PLLC (Washington, D.C.)
• Neil Nazareth, with Martzell & Bickford (New Orleans, LA)
• Erin Nowell, with Simon Greenstone Panatier Bartlett, PC (Dallas, TX)
• Shannon Pennock, with Pennock Law Firm (New York City, NY)
• Ashleigh Raso, with Meshbesher & Spence, Ltd. (Minneapolis, MN)
• Steven Resnick, with Golomb & Honik, P.C. (Philadelphia, PA)
• Laura Yaeger, with Morgan & Morgan (Tampa, FL)
• Caragh Fay, with Fay Law Group, P.A. (Washington, D.C.)

“I was surprised that I would learn about myself and how I think and work best—and how other people and personalities interact,” said Raymond Jones, a graduate of the Leadership Academy. “The best part was learning what makes a really effective leader.”

The Leadership Academy class will meet for multiple days during AAJ’s Spring and Fall board meetings and at annual convention. They will attend learning and development sessions, including Defining Leadership for Lawyers, Effective Factors for Successful Collaboration, and Creating a Clear and Compelling Vision.

For more information about the next Leadership Academy, please contact Durete Thompson at Durete.Thompson@justice.org.